Top O' Michigan Marathon Nationals 60th Anniversay

[trapdoor]

ATTENTION ALL PREVIOUS TOP O’ MICHIGAN MARATHON WINNERS

This year the Top O’ Michigan race celebrates our 60th anniversary. Quite a feat for such a unique race course. We are cordially inviting all of the past winners to come celebrate with us. If anyone knows how to contact former winners please pass this message along.
We would like past winners to come to the driver’s meeting at DeFoe Park at 10 A.M. on Saturday, August 16th for the drivers to meet everyone. We also want a group picture.
Please try to make it to the 60th running of the Top O’ Michigan Stock Outboard Marathon Nationals August 16th and 17th.

MaryEllen

[topomichracer140m]

I wonder if that old guy that ran 31M back in the old days will be there??

[kampkurz]

"Old Guy"

I first Met him at Hobart's. Hope he shows, Nick.

[trapdoor]

Roll Call for 60th Anniversary

Any of the previous Marathon Winners that are planning on attending this year, please contact MaryEllen at mhagerl@inlandlakes.org.. Or just let us know by posting on this site.

[trapdoor]

Marathon Nationals Previous Winners

Since I don't know how to bump, I thought I would just ask again.
If you are a previous winner, please let me know and try to show up at the Saturday Driver's meeting in DeFoe Park at 10, August 16 for a group picture and to meet this year's drivers.

MaryEllen

[flagjumper]

I am so sorry, but I just can't make it this year. This will be my first Top O I can't attend since I started racing in 93. I am still trying to move some things around to be there, but it doesn't look good. I won the B class in 2000 and it was almost the highlight of my year (my son Ben was born that same year on Halloween). I hope you have a great turnout this year. I did sell my marathon rig and he plans on racing it this year. Good luck to all. Have a GREAT 60th Race!!!!!!!

Mike
33M

[d_mods_rule]

well if my dad was still alive i know he would be thier i wish i know how to get a hold of his friends that raced and won up thier thier was nick bokaresty i know is still alive and a few others of his friends i hop to make it this year but money is tight for me i wont be racing just watching

[Islandmon]

With TOP O just around the corner I'm surprised there hasn't been more chatter given it's milestone 60th anniversary. Oh well maybe it just means that everyone is busy getting ready. See ya there .

[pearson95m]

What the heck… I’ll throw some of my memories out there. This will be my 20th time running this race, and 25th year being around it. So that covers 1/3 of the history seen from my eyes.

1. I can remember back when my dad first one this race in 86 and Ernie Dawe would drive with a cigar in his mouth. That same year John Broge received the Fred Swartz award for all his help with kids in the Southeast Michigan region. This may have even been his Mohawk year. The race started on crooked lake. I can’t remember how far they went; I think to Indian River and back.
2. I remember my first couple years racing. I believe we had 20 to 25 A’s that included guys like Dave Dewald, Erica Bowman and Vince Voisen. I can remember Vince, Erica and myself driving our ass off across Mullet Lake and back only to find out that Dave beat us by 4+ minutes. I remember thinking that he was a god of racing. I can remember a time when I was being flopped around in my cockpit doing everything to just say in the boat on Burt lake and looking over to my right and seeing Tim Ross passing me basically standing on the transom and pushing that ‘A’ across the swells.
3. I can remember spending nights and weekends out at the windjammer or at Bob Ladd’s farm building my dad’s new boat. Mr. Ladd built 3 of them that year. I remember that none of them completely knew what they were doing, but collectively they had half a chance. It didn’t hurt that they had the “Red Sled” next to them to copy either.
4. My greatest memory is of my dad finally winning the race in the D class in 2003. He had flirted with retirement a few times and in fact was “officially (Bret Farve style)” retired the year prior. We talked him into coming back literally 2 days before the race. I was hoping and praying that he would have one more good push left inside of him. He won in 86 in the C class and then moved to D. He had to fend off guys like Tom Fairbairne, Mike Ross and Matt Ladd for years. Always a bridesmaid and never a bride. Well, that weekend in 03 he drove like he was a kid again and made me proud to see him finally become that Bride. It was the best feeling in the world to be a part of that.

I have so many memories that I could sit here and write forever. But I gotta get back to work … here are a few clips of some others.

5. Randy Hippler winning Top O after years of trying
6. The 25ssr battles between Bobby Austin, Craig Bowmen, John Brodge and company…
7. Brian Rose and I banging into each other all the way across Crooked Lake (on purpose)
8. The OCEAN of 88… I think only like 12 people finished
9. The Kurz Camp Crew driving their boats over from the camp to the pits Saturday morning.
10. Brinkman flipping at the finish
11. Ross winning 11 years in a row… and still counting
12. Billy Allen (need I say more?)

[pearson95m]

some random photo's

Some random photos from years past

[pearson95m]

and some more randoms

[kampkurz]

Josh's Top O' Memories

Josh,,,unbelivable. Way to remember! I can remember, as well, almost every one of your memories. As you know, I've been a fan until this year, but I've loved this race as much as everyone else. This year I will be one of the 'KampKurz' boats coming across the lake Saturday morning, and I could not be more stoked.
Ha Ha, I can sure remember rooting for that little white A boat. My daughter was always a big fan as well. And Billy Allen?? Yea, you don't need to say more! See ya soon. Mark Kurz C57M

[topomichracer140m]

Josh...You sure brought back some neat memories...Nick.

[Gootz 142M]

Lets not forget (or try to remember) those legendary parties at Jodway's..........Thanks to Bill and family for all the Free food, beer etc. Its always a good time!!!

Gootz

[pearson95m]

great point gootz... but the problem is that i can never remember them